Share the post "Can You Cook Tater Tots in a Toaster Oven? (& How-to-Guide)"
Yes, you can cook tater tots in a toaster oven in just a few minutes. All you need to do is just preheat your toaster oven to the desired temperature, place the tater tots on the tray, and cook them for about five minutes or until they’re golden brown.
Pros and Cons of Cooking Tater Tots in a Toaster Oven
Whether you choose to cook your tater tots in a traditional oven or a toaster oven, they are bound to come out delicious. But there are also some pros and cons of cooking tater tots in a toaster oven such as:
Pros
- It’s a quick and easy way to cook them.
- They come out nice and crispy.
- You can cook a large batch at once.
- The toaster oven doesn’t take up much counter space.
Cons
- They might not be as crispy as if they were cooked in a traditional oven.
- It’s difficult to tell when they’re done, so you might end up overcooking them.
LEARN MORE: Can You Put a Toaster Oven on Wood?
How to Cook Tater Tots in a Toaster Oven
Tater tots are typically cooked by frying them in oil, but they can also be baked or microwaved. If you follow the steps properly you can make some delicious tater tots very easily.
But before cooking tater tots in a toaster oven you will need a few essential things, such as:
- Aluminum foil
- Sauce (optional)
- Cheese (optional)
- Pepperoni (optional)
Now start the cooking following the steps below:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the baking tray with aluminum foil. Place the tot on the tray and cook until both sides are golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Take the tot out of the toaster. The sauce goes on first, followed by the cheese, and finally the pepperoni.
- Place the tot back in the toaster oven on the foil and cook for an additional minute or until the cheese has melted. Remove from the toaster oven and enjoy!
LEARN MORE: What Can You Cook In A Microwave?
Tater Tot Recipes That are Perfect for the Toaster Oven
Tater tots are a versatile food, and there are many different ways that they can be cooked. Here are some recipes for tater tots that can be cooked in a toaster oven:
Tater Tot Casserole
This casserole is made with tater tots, ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese. It’s easy to make and can be served as a main dish or side dish.
Ingredients:
- Tater tots
- Ground beef
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned. Drain the fat and set the beef aside.
- In a bowl, combine the ground beef, tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake in the toaster oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and serve immediately.
Cheesy Tater Tots
These tater tots are coated in a cheesy sauce and then baked until they’re golden brown. They’re perfect for a party or get-together, and they can be served as either a main dish or a side dish.
Ingredients:
- Tater tots
- Ranch dressing
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spread out the tater tots. In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Pour this mixture over the tater tots and use a spoon to coat them evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Buffalo Tater Tots
These tater tots are coated with Buffalo sauce before being roasted till golden brown. They’re ideal for a get-together or a party, and they may be served as a main meal or a side dish.
Ingredients:
- Tater tots
- Buffalo sauce
- Shredded cheese
- Blue cheese dressing (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil then set a wire rack on top of the foil. In a small bowl, mix together the Buffalo sauce and shredded cheese.
- Place the tater tots in a large zipper-lock bag and pour in the Buffalo sauce mixture. Zip up the bag and shake it until all of the tots are coated evenly. Arrange the tots on the wire rack in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them over halfway through cooking time. Serve immediately with blue cheese dressing, if desired. Enjoy!
Tater Tot Pizza
This tater tot pizza is a fun and easy way to enjoy your favorite comfort food. It’s perfect for a party or get-together, and it can be served as either a main dish or a side dish.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees F. Spread a layer of tater tots on the bottom of an 11-inch pizza pan. Spread with pizza sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Arrange pepperoni slices over the top.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Conclusion
So, to conclude, while there are both pros and cons to cooking tater tots in a toaster oven, the pros generally outweigh the cons. They come out crispy and delicious, and it’s a quick and easy way to cook them.